6 Apr 1944 – 12 Nov 2020
Wife of Hugh F. Cardon
Ginny Correia Cardon, a longtime resident of Santa Teresa, New Mexico, passed away on November 12, 2020. She was 76. Ginny was a loving sister, aunt and friend. For her energy and enthusiasm, for her love of family and for the amazing person she was, she will live in our hearts forever.
Ginny was born in Walla Walla, Washington on April 6, 1944 to Lionel and Earline Correia. WWII was still raging. Lionel was a prisoner of war in Germany, so they didn’t meet until he returned home after the war. The family moved to Seattle, Washington, and then to Portland, Oregon. Ginny went on to graduate with highest honors from David Douglas High School, earning the Lydia Wiegel Award for scholarly achievements. She excelled at speech competitions in extemporaneous speaking and Lincoln-Douglas debate. The same year, she was named first runner up in the Oregon Junior Miss pageant.
Ginny was a classically trained soprano soloist and gifted performer. She earned a music performance scholarship to Occidental College in Los Angeles, California. and completed a music education degree at University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). She appeared in many UTEP opera productions and won the Metropolitan Opera regional auditions. She was even heard opening UTEP basketball games with her rousing rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner. Upon completing her degree, Ginny returned to Oregon where she became a junior high choral director in Eugene. Her jazz choir won many awards and acclaim as one of the top junior high choirs in the state. She remained in Eugene for 12 years, completing a Master of Education degree at the University of Oregon and earning her Oregon principal credentials. She moved to Mapleton, Oregon, where she worked as a junior high principal for two years before returning to El Paso, Texas to marry longtime friend and teacher, Dr. Hugh Cardon. Ginny and Hugh, both lovers of music and golf, settled in Santa Teresa, New Mexico in 2002. They spent many happy years there until Hugh’s death in 2008.
Ginny held several administrative positions in the El Paso School District before becoming a Director of Special Education. She retired in 2006. Her dear friend, Billie Dennis, worked with Ginny. She remembered the first time they met.
“My first interaction with Ginny was when she was the assistant principal at Morehead Middle School. I was an Instructional Specialist in the district. She called me regarding an underperforming 6th grade student with no special education paper work. She had talked to all his teachers. They said he was always working and he tried very hard. There was something off. Ginny asked me to observe this student. I followed him around to a couple of classes. He had a sixth sense. He’d fiddle around until the teacher looked at him, then he was all business. This happened constantly. His parents were irate as they said Ginny told them there was no special education in middle school. Although this was not the case, they brought in a locally renowned special education advocate who was known to be especially difficult and demanding. Ginny was new to the district and had no experience with this advocate. Prior to meeting with the parents I discovered that the student’s special education paperwork had been misplaced, an important fact the parents declined to mention. They denied he was a special education student. We met with the parents and all concerned to develop a plan for the student. Ginny managed the meeting. Tempers were high. In the midst of the meeting, the infamous special advocate got up and said to the parents, ‘I think you’re in good hands here.’ She left the room and that was that. Ginny continued her work in El Paso with the highest level of student advocacy and professionalism, and I made a friend for life.” ~ Billie Dennis
Ginny stayed active in the Santa Teresa community. She served two terms as president of the Casas Bellas Home Owners Association Board, sang for special events on Independence Day and Christmas and lent a helping hand where she could. She was a good neighbor. She loved her friends and never missed the Friday Bridge sessions at Billy Crews Steakhouse. Her friend Francia Goodwin Pedigo, remembers a “particular look” Ginny got just before she “set” her. She was especially known for her professional quality textile projects, gifting sweaters, needlepoints, various other knit and crochet items to her friends and family. Her annual Christmas ornaments were coveted, and her creations continue to be treasured by all.
Ginny was proceeded in death by her parents, Earline and Lionel Correia of Portland, Oregon and husband Dr. Hugh Cardon of Santa Teresa, New Mexico. She is survived by sisters Linda Ellingson, Federal Way, Washington and Monica Wilton, Eugene, Oregon. She is also survived by stepchildren Ali Cardon of Leander, Texas and Clutch Cardon, of Austin, Texas. Although Ginny had no children of her own, she was loved by several nieces and nephews. She was Aunt Ginny to Jeff Ellingson, Renton, Washington, David Ellingson, Federal Way, Washington, David Wilton, Eugene, Oregon, Stephanie Wilton-Corey, Beaverton, Oregon and Sean Wilton, Eugene, Oregon. Her fan club includes five grand nieces and three grand nephews.
Ginny will be interred with her husband, Dr. Hugh Cardon, at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery. A private memorial service is scheduled. Hillcrest Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Ginny was an artist and a friend. She was multi-talented person. But, most of all, she was a deeply loved aunt and sister. She was a bright spot in our world. It’s hard to believe she is gone, but we are happy knowing she has joined our loved ones in Heaven and is healthy and strong once again.